WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Leaders of theChampion Air pilots,
represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International, announced today
that 99 percent of the Champion pilots approved a strike authorization vote
giving the leadership authority to call a strike in the event that negotiations
with management do not result in a contract. With a 100 percent participation
rate from the 136 pilots eligible to vote, 134 Champion pilots voted in favor of
the strike authorization.

"The tremendous participation and approval rate demonstrate that the
Champion pilots stand absolutely united behind their goal of achieving a fair
union contract," said Captain Matthew Marsh, chairman of the Champion Air
ALPA unit.

The Champion pilots began negotiations with management for their first union
contract in February 1999. Negotiations have been conducted with the assistance
of the National Mediation Board since September 2000. Although most sections of
the contract have been agreed to, Champion pilots and management remain far
apart on the critical economic issues of compensation, retirement, and
scheduling.

Under the Railway Labor Act, the National Mediation Board may release the
parties into a 30-day cooling-off period once an impasse is declared in the
mediated talks. If an agreement is not reached by the end of those 30 days, the
pilots would be able to strike. "Although no Champion pilot wants to
strike, the overwhelming strike vote shows that we are willing to do so if
management forces us down that avenue to achieve the long overdue contract that
we all deserve," Marsh said.

With headquarters in Minneapolis, Champion Air is the largest dedicated
provider of charter airlift in the United States. Champion’s pilots fly a
fleet of 13 Boeing 727-200 aircraft in support of a wide variety of customers,
including professional sports teams, corporations, and major tour package
wholesalers.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilot union
representing more than 66,000 cockpit crewmembers at 43 airlines in the U.S. and
Canada. Visit the ALPA Web site at www.alpa.org.